MacBook Pro 17-inch, Mid 2009 install disc?

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Dpagejr Author

Level 1

5 points

MacBook Pro 17-inch, Mid 2009 install disc?

What is the correct install disc for this MBP

Thanks

Dan

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), 2.8 GHz Intel Core2 Duo 24 Early 08

Posted on Jan 19, 2016 9:18 AM

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Answer 1

Courcoul

Level 6

18,714 points

Jan 19, 2016 10:12 AM in response to Dpagejr

Although Oglethorpe should be answering this (he's the resident 17" curmudgeon), it came with 10.5.7 Leopard if purchased when it first came out. By 2010 it came with 10.6.0 Snow Leopard, up until April when the next model supplanted it. However, it can take 10.11 El Capitan if it had Snow Leopard (that OS debuted the App Store, through which you get El Capitan's internet-distributed installer).

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Answer 2

Dpagejr Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 19, 2016 10:19 AM in response to Courcoul

Thanks for the reply. I ask because I am having problems with it recognizing or remembering the startup disk.

I recently installed a Crucial SSD not using the original install discs and was wondering if this is the reason for the problem?

It was purchased in April 2010.

Dan

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Answer 3

dwb

Level 7

33,256 points

Jan 19, 2016 10:24 AM in response to Dpagejr

You don’t necessarily need the original installation discs to install a new drive. If you used TimeMachine to restore a backup to the new SSD or if you cloned the old drive to the SSD that should result in a successful installation. Have you opened System Preferences, selected the Startup Disk control panel and selected the SSD?

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Answer 4

Courcoul

Level 6

18,714 points

Jan 19, 2016 10:26 AM in response to Dpagejr

Did you install the system first on an external enclosure THEN swapped drives? Especially with those older systems what were not too SSD-fluent, things would go smoother by doing it "out of the box" and swapping afterwards. Firewire would be fastest, but USB already supported external booting by then.

It should have come with Snow Leopard, unless it was a leftover unit forgotten in the back shelf. That model ran from June 2009 to April 2010. MacTracker's your tool for such arcane Mac trivia.

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Answer 5

Dpagejr Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 19, 2016 10:32 AM in response to dwb

Thank youdwb

I installed Mavericks from a saved downloaded copy I got from the App store using Diskmaker X. Am i missing anything from the original disks that I need?

I have selected a startup disk as described.

On my original install of the SSD it got so corrupted and I had to reformat and reinstall the OS. I am now experiencing the same problem a few days later.

Dan

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Answer 6

Dpagejr Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 19, 2016 10:36 AM in response to Courcoul

Courcoul

I swapped drives then installed OS via USB stick with Disckmaker X.

Dan

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Answer 7

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Jan 19, 2016 11:01 AM in response to Dpagejr

Does the MBP work with the HDD installed? Does it work with the SSD installed? (assuming both drives work when connected externally)

If YES for the first question and NO for the second question, the odds are that a new SATA cable should be installed.

Ciao.

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Answer 8

Courcoul

Level 6

18,714 points

Jan 19, 2016 11:15 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

FINALLY he appears....

This 17" thread ought to bring much joy to your [ripe] heart...

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Answer 9

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Jan 19, 2016 11:17 AM in response to Courcoul

Courcoul wrote:

FINALLY he appears....

This 17" thread ought to bring much joy to your [ripe] heart...

Now I know why Trump wants to build that wall. 😁

Ciao.

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Answer 10

Dpagejr Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 19, 2016 11:18 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

The HDD did work fine installed, the SSD works for a period of time before there are issues with finding the SSD.

I don't have the MBP at this time my daughter does, I am trying to see what my next step is.

Where can I get a new cable? Why would the cable be fine for the HDD but not the SSD?

Thanks

Dan

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Answer 11

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Jan 19, 2016 11:26 AM in response to Dpagejr

Dpagejr wrote:

Where can I get a new cable? Why would the cable be fine for the HDD but not the SSD?

You can get a new cable at iFixit.com or Powerbookmedic.com.

Often the cable is worn and is not functioning at 100%. However there may be other reasons that, to be candid. I do not know about. BUT, with that said, there are many posts on these forums where the HDD works internally and the SSD does not, and the solution has been the installation of a new SATA cable. Should you do a search, I am confident that I will be proven right.

Ciao.

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